Mental age
Media
Part of Panorama
- Title
- Mental age
- Language
- English
- Source
- Panorama 4 (5) May 1939
- Year
- 1939
- Subject
-
Maturation (Psychology)
- Self-knowledge, Theory of
- Rights
-
- Abstract
- Condensed from The William Feather Magazine.
- Fulltext
- Summoning up his last ounce of strength, with a will born of desperation, he was able -at last to let out a frightful scream. As he did so, a hand was suddenly placed across his mouth, and he could hear the dentist say m a hoarse, sepulchral voice: "My gosh, I pulled out the wrong tooth! I suppose we'll have to give him the gas all over again." -Arthur Foster, condensed from Modern Tempo. THE oft-quoted statement that the average American has a mental age of fourteen years is grossly misunderstood. Intelligence tests merely demonstrate the ability to learn and to solve problems. They take no account of knowledge, experience, skill, and common sense. ThEy do not measure wisdom. A glib but shiftless and irresponsible man might obtain a high rating in an intelligence teiit, whereas a substantial citizen, although considEred a successful and desirable member of his community, might be classed among the fourteen-year-olds. "Mental age," as used by psychologists, is a highly technical term. Although the psychologists are not in agreement, it is girnerally conceded that full mental maturity is reached at sixteen or seventeen yrnrs. The "capacity to learn" is thE·n as high as it will ever be. If this is kept in mind, the fourteen-year average for the general public does not seem so bad. But, though the growth of pure intelligence may cease at fourteen or sixteen, the accumulation of knowledge and experience continues as long as a person lives. Good citizens are prnple whose behavior can be foncast. The permanence of civilization is dependent on the actions of the masses-their thrift, patriotism, industry, and judgment. These are qualities that are developed throughout life. Unfortunately, the fourteen-year idea has been so twisted out of its technical meaning that we have editors and builders of radio programs struggling to reduce standards so that their product may make a universal appeal. The stupidity of such efforts is clear when we realize that though the "mental age" of a fourteen-year-0ld girl and fortyyear-old woman may be the same, there probably is as much diffoerence between them as between a puppy and a wise old dog.-The William Feather Magazine. MAY, 1939 21
- pages
- 21